Thursday, August 06, 2009

Being jetlagged has its advantages. I woke up at early since I was still on NY time (even though, I honestly slept in longer than usual).

I showered, ate, got my coffee and headed over to the Convention Center to do something I do very well --- volunteer. I helped vendors unload their cars, vans, trucks, U-hauls from 8:00 - 12:30. I met wonderful, wonderful people. Plus I got a super sneak pre-view of everything that came into the marketplace.

Here I am helping Karin Skacel check in. She was just one of the hundreds of amazing people I met during the morning.

After a quick bite of lunch, I headed off to my afternoon class "Making the Next Monkey" with Knitty Editor Amy Singer. Amy was a gem. I learned so much about pattern writing and submitting patterns for publication. It's all pretty simple stuff... but to hear it straight from Amy's mouth was a very good thing. The best part of the class was the fact that right there during class Amy selected TWO socks for future publication because they were so amazing.

Here's Lou Bolster (aka HappyStasher on Ravelry) holding her Thank You for Sharing candy necklace from Amy. Stay tuned for Lou's OUT OF THIS WORLD sock for next year on Knitty. You will not be disappointed. That's all I'm saying. (Congrats Lou!)

That's my first report on the Sock Summit. There is so much more to tell, but it's already time for me to run back to the convention center, so you'll have to stay tuned for more. It is great fun. I really wish you could all be here. Really.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Hello my knitting friends. I'm writing to you from beautiful sunny Portland, Oregon. Yes. That's right. I'm here for the Sock Summit 2009! But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's start at the beginning of the day when the excitement first became palpable.

I wore my hand-knit Boy Scout sock on my shirt on the flight out from New York this morning and there must have been a dozen or so Sock Summit bound knitters aboard the same plane. There was lots of oohing and aahing and "Are you going to the Sock Summit?" questioning. Even BF commented on the number of people knitting on board.

Fast forward six hours later when I've flown over this great country of ours and landed in Portland for the first time ever (That's a new state sister dear!). I've already been to the Convention Center and have checked in at registration.

There were audible squeals of delight as people picked up their registration packages. I met so many lovely people already - Jen, JoAnn, Rachel, and Lisa. The energy is amazing. The professionalism is nothing less than you'd expect of this talented team of knitters and volunteers.

See my miniature socks with the fantastic program for Sock Summit 2009? Didn't I say these ladies were amazing? Anyway, if you're here and checking in Thursday morning... look for me at the SWAG room volunteering from 7-11 a.m. I hope you're as excited as I am.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Guess what I'll be doing for my summer vacation? Yes - I'm going to the Sock Summit. Whew! I was a little late (and by late, I mean, one hour after registration opened), but I managed to sign up for two classes at Sock Summit 2009. I can hardly wait.

I will be taking a Thursday class and a Friday class:

Making the Next Monkey

Podcasting for Amateurs

I'll confess that these two classes weren't on the very top of my list of classes to take (those were classes by Barbara Walker, Meg Swansen, Lucy Neatby, Charlene Schurch and Ann Hanson)... but they were on my top 10 list... so I consider that a win-win. I'm bummed out that the Thursday Opening Reception is sold out. Drat. But I have my plane ticket. I have a hotel reservation. And now I'm registered for classes.

For those of you who can't fathom the frenzy of the Sock Summit, just keep in mind that I signed up for the Sock Summit a mere one hour after registration opened, and most things were nearly sold out! Check out Tina of Blue Moon Blog for a sad, frustrating and hilarious (all at the same time) post about trying to get people to understand the frenzy that surrounds sock knitting. Then you might start to understand the fever of this. I actually planned my summer around this event. Really.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

After 3 days of straight baking, I managed to spend the last hour of the craft fair doing a little shopping for myself. In fact, I bought this little something just for me:

I've always wanted my very own tea set and I adore hand crafted pottery, so when I saw Barbara Getsinger's Handcrafted Designs, I stopped to chat with her. This lightly green hued set is just the thing I needed for my knitting get togethers. Oops - I'm a few mugs short. Barbara! I'll be re-ordering very soon.

The gorgeous curly cherry tray is my first find of the day. It's from The Shade Tree and they sell some amazing wooden handcrafts. I am so thrilled to pieces with my combo order - I think they go so well together. Don't you want to come over for some tea and knitting now?

Oh, and that woolly brown sheep ornament? It's from Theresa's Woolen Crafts. You can order your very own sheep - in white or brown - by emailing Theresa. Tell her I sent you.

My dear friend Elizabeth of The Felted Garden was there with her fiber-fantastic-felted goodies. My favorite item was a deep purple lattice-work scarf (that I forgot to photograph). It's simply spellbinding.

And despite the fact that I baked 22 batches of brownies, 2 banana breads, 4 cakes, 2 coffee cakes, 2 batches of oatmeal cookies and 2 batches of chocolate chip cookies for the Artisan Lounge, I still managed to purchase some goodies from the fair:

It was an inspiring fair. I hope it was successful for everyone involved, in spite of the economy. The net proceeds from this entire fair go to help local charities. It's wonderful to know that your holiday shopping can actually make a huge difference to those in need.

Friday, November 21, 2008

I baked four cakes and eight batches of brownies this morning. I'm actually just about ready to pull four more batches of brownies out of the oven as we speak. We must keep our crafters happy. And besides, what's not to like about homebaked brownies?

I hope you'll get a chance to come to Staples High School this weekend for the Creative Arts Festival. I got a sneak preview of some wonderful booths. I think you'll be pleased with the selection and the quality. Lots of favorites and many new surprises. If you do come, please ask for me. I'd love to say hello.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Here's the song I've been humming to myself all week. I think you can figure out the tune.

Give my regards to Rhinebeck

Remember me to the rabbit gal

Give my regards to Old Rhinebeck

And tell them someday I'll be there.

Here's a photo from the one and only Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival I've made it too - and that was four years ago.

I hope everyone had a grand old time. I can hardly wait to see your pictures. I had fun camping with my Boy Scouts, but sure missed seeing and meeting so many of you. Please share lots of good stories.

Monday, September 15, 2008

I was cruising the Etsy site the other day and decided to hit the button that says "Shop Locally." It took me to ByHandByJean of Westport, CT who knits and sells socks! Wow! What could be better than that? I decided to support a local knitting artist and bought four pairs of socks. I have a lot of nieces and nephews and can't really keep up with their ever-growing feet, so these will be gifts for them.

I also went to another Etsy shop from KnittingHawkeye from my alma mater - the University of Iowa. She also has a blog HERE.

Look at this great hand-dyed sock yarn. Perfect for another pair of every day socks with blue jeans. I can hardly wait to knit these up!

Finally, I thought I'd check on my friend Elizabeth of The Felted Garden and see what she's selling in her Etsy Shop. I couldn't resist this dramatic zebra print felted scarf. It will be perfect with my long black coat this winter.

Who are some of your favorite Etsy crafters? What have you bought recently? Oh, and I just discovered that people sell homebaked goods on Etsy. Oh boy am I in trouble!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

I worked my six-hour volunteer shift at the Westport Young Woman's League Creative Arts Festival held at Staples High School today. I haven't spent a day on my feet in awhile. I had a great time helping out. Of course I made many wonderful purchases. My favorite one is this piece of artwork made out of a quilt.

Put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

I can't stop laughing. It's now hanging in my laundry room. Very few people will ever see it when they come to my house - but it makes me smile. Hehehehe. Do you have art hanging in your laundry room?